“Do not conformto the pattern of this world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12: 2)

This scripture, from the Apostle Paul, is one that has long engaged me for much reflection and study throughout my life. And from Pauls’ letter to the church in Philippi, (Philippians 2: 5), “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” This is a theme that appears in Paul’s writings often. It is an idea that was very important to him and one that he felt foundational for first century followers of the Christ and church to understand and to live. To the Roman church in his letter he wrote that we are to have relationship and spiritual companionship with Jesus Christ and in doing so we are “to allow God to transform us inwardly by the complete renewing of our minds.” In his letter to the church in Corinth he wrote that, “we are to have the same mind of Christ.” To the church at Philippi, “put on the mind which was in Christ Jesus.” To the Apostle Paul one cannot even begin to understand Jesus until we have a Christ Consciousness of service as did Jesus himself.

So, what is this Christ Consciousness that Paul is asking us to have? If you were to ask that question of Paul he would tell you that Jesus was speaking of a particular level of human consciousness when he told us these comforting words, “the Kingdom of heaven is within.” There it is. The kingdom of heaven is within. We need look no further than within our very selves, each and every one of us, to find that for which we have so long been searching. Within. Right where we are at this and every moment. Not far off – over there – or over there – or out there – but within. Right here.

Being transformed by the renewing of our minds is our remembering that which is within. Being transformed by the renewing of our minds and remembering to seek the mind of Christ in all that we do, think and say changes our game plan for what is about to happen in our lives and the lives of those around us.

The mind of Jesus. Think on that for a moment. What mind did Jesus demonstrate for us as he traveled about in his life and ministry?

It was the mind of Jesus that never saw the people he encountered along his journeys as “the other.” It was this mind that never labeled these people as worthy or unworthy of his attention. Jesus certainly understood the teachings of his elders, certainly the Pharisees, that this or that group is untouchable, not part of us and separate and out of favor with God’s plan. Each time I read the stories that include the Pharisees I am amazed, and yet amazed yet again, to see how narrow-minded and opinionated they were. They witnessed the healings of Jesus time and time again. Each time they saw Jesus heal someone they too had an opportunity to be healed of their bigotry and to be transformed into new life, but they just couldn’t see what was before them. The mind of Jesus reached out to the hurting, the sick, the lame, the blind, people all around him. In the mind of Jesus he didn’t ever see people as “the unworthy.” He saw them as human beings, creations of a loving God, he saw them as souls that were longing to experience new life and new possibility for their lives. The mind of Jesus never saw defeat and pain when the truth of God’s presence was right there. He saw that there was victory and abundant blessings available for all. To have the mind of Christ is to have what we in the 21st century call NON-DUEL THINKING. Not a “this or that,” not a feeling of being “separate,” not a “you vs. me,” and certainly not a need to label everything putting certain things down so one can feel superior. But he understood the unity of humanity as all living in the Kingdom of Heaven right here, right where we are now and always. Each of us together – united as one.

In Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” or “Kingdom of God” meant being in God’s very holy presence. Each person he encountered he saw as citizens of this kingdom. Each person he saw – each thought that he had – was a thought of blessing and peace and possibility for all.

In our more modern time I look at the life and ministry of Mother Teresa and see one who not only had the mind of Christ but was transformed over and over again as her work transformed the lives of all those with whom she touched. No “this or that” thinking in her life. She saw all as precious children. Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, everyone.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. A renewing that shifts your thinking from seeing with blinders – and through a veil – and to make a decision to see and to serve as Christ saw and served.

Can you imagine if this was how everyone saw life? Wow. If we all saw our world through a mind of Non-Duel thinking and belief? No longer would there be bigotry, racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, homophobia, anti-semitism, misogyny, hatred, lies and the biggest hurdle to our lives – FEAR.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

But the Apostle also charged us do something else. He wrote, “Do not be conformed to this world.” A tall order isn’t it? Easy – not so much. Possible – yes. Paul cautions us – that as we look around seeing lies and distrust and people who do business with questionable ethics, with greed as ones motivation and goal, who speak falsely and hurtfully about others, as we see them puff themselves up to feel superior – as we look around and witness that – that we not fall into that way of living. Do not see that as so present that we come to accept that as the new norm. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Seeing what is around you -choose another path. Make another decision. Set your intention to be one of LOVE and dwelling in the perfect presence of Spirit.

Where do you want to be? What do you want to experience? What is your destination of choice?

Fear is perhaps one, if not the, most terrifying force that our “world” would like for us to dwell in. Fear will stop us in our forward movement of life each and every time. Fear will entangle us in the worlds orbit so fast we won’t even know we are orbiting in it until something catastrophic happens to us. Fear will change our perceptions of life, focus our vision to latching onto negativity and it will devastate us. But, do not conform to the world. To fear. To the system that seeks to suck you in.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Seek love. Remember to pray. Meditate. To talk with God/Spirit. Remember the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, right where you are, so God is right with you. Within. Waiting, longing for your presence at every moment. This is true in whatever faith you practice. Spirit is with you. Are you with It?

We have to live in this world, but we can change this world. In our present day world, in the midst of our lives, filled with the everyday ups and downs of modern life, surrounded by a mindset – ever so prominent – that can foster and nurture a defeatist attitude and tear us apart, the apostle tells us to not dwell in that negativity, but to see our world and our place in this world as Jesus would beckon us to see and experience. The world will be forever with us, but, yes, we can change this world.

I think the words of the bumper sticker are very true. “Change your thinking – change your life.”

Paul writes of a freedom of spirit that awaits us whenever we make the decision to turn to it, recognize it, recalculate, reboot and accept it as our way of life. He tells us that Spirit is near. As close as our very next thought.

“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Recently I had my annual eye exam. Time to check my vision, order new contacts and make sure my glasses (for those times I put the contacts on hiatus) are up to date. It was nice to be told by the doctor that my vision has actually improved. I had sensed this, but having confirmation was great.

Seeing clearly to navigate our journey of life without mishap and to enjoy the creation of a loving God all around us is important. I think since I have also been studying Mindfulness Meditation, and practiced bringing my awareness repeatedly back to the present moment, (and away from distracted thinking) the world that I observe around me has gained exceedingly more meaning and beauty. The colors may not actually be brighter, the sounds more rich and the smells more fragrant, but they sure do feel that way to me.

As important as our physical vision is to seeing the beauty all around us, having a spiritual vision and connection with Spirit/God is also vital to our living the abundant life that Jesus promised us.

Our walk with Spirit/God is an exciting one. It is one that grows each and every day as we continue to build that relationship. Perhaps one of the most important practices for me is to begin each day with Spirit/God. First thing in the morning, before anything else leads me into distraction, I like to go into that quiet place and rest there with the Spirit that can perfectly prepare me for the day ahead. Sometimes I have many things to discuss with God in prayer and other times all I do is meditate on “thank you.” Either way, how we prepare to meet the day and its obligations determines how we will deal with the twists and turns that may meet us up ahead.

Our spiritual vision and understanding does get clearer as we practice being in the presence of our loving creator. Even in the rush of a busy day, driving through traffic, shopping in the grocery store, or with whatever we are doing, just remembering we are indeed “in the presence” can clear our way forward.

A wise and gifted teacher of mine years ago challenged us to throughout the day give conscious thought to our “being in the presence.” I have found that in doing so I do indeed see more clearly, hear more profoundly and experience Spirit’s grace more deeply.

Our scripture above ends with, “even as I have been fully known.” How comforting to realize that God knows us so deeply, loves us so unconditionally and in spite of our shortcomings holds us as a cherished citizens of Spirit’s creation.

Spirit/God has so much to reveal to us and is experiencing us fully and lovingly as we are experiencing it. I, for one, don’t want to miss out on anything.

Affirmation: “The fog lifts and the way is clear. Thank you God. That’s all, just thank you.”

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.” (1 John 3:1)

We are each spiritual beings having a human experience. So often in our thinking we have that reversed. We think we are first and foremost human, physical bodies trying desperately to connect with some form of spiritual truth. When we realize that we are first spiritual beings our connection to God becomes not only more easily understood, but lived.

God loves us so much, cares for us so much, wants relationship with us so much, and God wants us to understand who we are. As children of God this beautiful spirit of truth and grace and unconditional love is the very core and essence of who we are. That is first, all else is built from that place.

So from being spiritual beings God has given us our humanness, our thinking minds and our ability for discernment. God has given us wonderful human experiences that can make our time on this planet the fulfillment of God’s kingdom here on earth.

But, as humans, we often experience physical things that can be overwhelming. Our bodies hurt, our hearts break, we go through dark places that seem endless and with seemingly no a passageway out. Psalm 23 says, “Though I walk through the darkest valley.” Whatever that valley may be for you, whatever that burden you carry, know that when you trust in the ever present Spirit in, around, and through you at every moment, that you are guided back into the light. Sometimes that journey seems slower than we would like, but stopping to give thanksgiving to Spirit that you are not alone and that you are being guided to the realization and recognition of God’s Perfect Light, will help you in moving forward. You have not failed, you can never fail. God is there. When we have moments of feeling separate from Spirit we mustn’t be down on ourselves, but approach that moment as yet another opportunity to return our awareness to God’s loving embrace. I know I often have thousands of opportunities to return my awareness to God each and every day. Thousands of beautiful opportunities to meet God again and to continue onward.

After sorrow and pain there is always resurrection. Our natural place is in the Light of Spirit’s Truth. Know that in your humanness you are a spiritual being and your human experience will always lead you back to that “Spirit/God” place at your very core. Decide today that you will make the decision to accept the truth of who you really are in spirit.

We are each children of God. Know this for yourself, and know this for others. This is indeed how we can experience the kingdom of heaven right here on earth.

Affirmation: “I am forever standing in the presence of God on Holy Ground.”

“When the spirit of truth comes it will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is.” (John 16:13)

Divine Spirit is without age. It is always consistent, the same. It is always young and vital, alive and energetic. Knowing that this perfect Spirit is always available to us, at any time, always full of just what we need, is indeed very comforting.

Spirit is hard to understand at times because we don’t meet it with our five senses. We don’t touch, smell, taste, see or hear Spirit, but we do experience it. We experience it to the degree that we are willing to connect with it. Spirit is there, it is willing, it is always powerful, but in the midst of the many things that may burden us, bringing us stress or fear, we fail to allow this Spirit to meet our needs, heal our lives and lift us up to new heights of perfection in God. This Spirit, although universal, is also individualized for each and every one of us. Individualized to give us each a wonderfully unique expression of life.

In place of allowing fear to create the roadmap of our lives we can shift our thinking and belief to knowing we are always in the presence of the Divine atmosphere. The Divine Spirit is within you, in the 15 feet around you, and in the larger space around you as well. That space that includes your home, community, city, and our world. This presence is the true home in which you live. We should move in and make it our own with our belief and trust that fear has no place, but Divine unconditional love does.

Connecting with this perfect Spirit is as simple as it is stated in our scripture. Reach out your hand by directing your thinking and let this Divine Truth take hold of you and lead you to experience a new awareness of possibility for your life. We all long for this connection, so why the hesitation in accepting its power and presence right where you are? Why hesitate when our soul (our individualization of Spirit) longs for connection?

Theologian Richard Rohr has written: “Your soul is your participation in the eternal life of God.” I love that statement and it is one I certainly like to meditate upon.

Affirmation: “Reaching out my hand I am divinely and lovingly led to new and wonderful experiences with God.”

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Matthew 12: 30)

One of my favorite memories of Thanksgiving is when I was in church choir as a little boy. I remember one cold evening we sang a song that was new to me, and it is one that I have always loved since. Not only does it remind me of Thanksgiving, but it always reminds me fondly of that night we learned it. I remember our choir director, a young woman, Evangeline Everett, isn’t that a great name? I will never forget her, as she taught us this song:

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing; He chastens and hastens His will to make known; The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing; Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining, Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine; So from the beginning the fight we were winning; Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant, And pray that Thou still our Defender will be; Let Thy congregation escape tribulation; Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

These lyrics can touch us so deeply as we meditate upon them.

We do gather together. We hasten and chasen for there is no time to waste.

We proclaim for God/Spirit to be made known through our understanding of God moving in our lives, always available and always right where we need Spirit to be. The wicked oppressor – that is our doubts and our fears. That is our hesitation to experience fully God’s power and presence and to believe we are loved unconditionally. And yes, we do praise God’s name from on high as we count the many ways we are grateful.

There is a perfect rhythm of life. The sunset, the sunrise, the tides. The growing of things before the harvest has a certain rhythm of life. The spirit of God has a rhythm as well and we are a part of that perfect rhythm. That rhythm is harmony and peace and it is unconditional love.

Affirmation: “Knowing I am a beautiful part of God’s rhythm of life, peace and harmony just naturally manifest wherever I look.